BOWMORE BLAIR CASTLE HORSE TRIALS GETS BOOST FROM EVENTSCOTLAND

The Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair is one of 15 lucky events to be successful in applying for support from EventScotland. Scotland’s leading equestrian event which takes place from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th August 2004 has been selected for funding from EventScotland’s Regional Events Programme.

David Williams, chief executive of EventScotland said, “This programme is designed to complement the company’s principle activity of attracting and developing major international events to Scotland by showcasing a specific town or region and driving domestic tourism. There are thousands of events taking place throughout Scotland at a regional level and I have been impressed by the range of applications received for the first round of this biannual funding programme.

“I am pleased that the Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair has been successful in receiving an offer of support from round one. EventScotland wishes the organisers every success and trust that they, along with the participants and spectators, enjoy an excellent event.”

In applying for the grant, the Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair, which is held in the magnificent grounds of Blair Castle has demonstrated the potential to showcase Highland Perthshire and boost local tourism by entertaining over 33,000 visitors in 2003. It also reaches a TV audience world-wide of about 65 million people.

The event involves the local community in a big way with over 400 volunteers being drawn mainly from the region to help over the four days. Businesses and shops in the neighbourhood also benefit immensely from the influx of visitors, who spend approximately £500,000 in the area during the August bank holiday weekend.

All 15 of the events which have been selected for the grants, ranging from £2000 to £25,000, take place in the next eight months all over Scotland from Inverness to Kirkcudbright.

Director of the Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair, Sarah Phillips, is already getting geared up for this year’s event, with work on the two cross country courses well under way. She said, “We are thrilled to have been picked for funding, which will help us progress and move forward our event to become a major highlight in the Scottish Sporting Calendar. We very much look forward to working with EventScotland in the future.”

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